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Use of Methanol‐Water Solutions for Freeze Protection of Tensiometers 1
Author(s) -
Wendt C. W.,
Wilke O. C.,
New L. L.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj1978.00021962007000050045x
Subject(s) - tensiometer (surface tension) , loam , environmental science , soil water , agronomy , methanol , water potential , chemistry , soil science , surface tension , physics , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics , biology
The use of tensiometers to schedule irrigations has teen limited primarily to summer crops because of water freezing in the tensiometers during the winter months. Since methanol‐water mixtures have lower freezing points than water, a greenhouse study was conducted using an Olton loam soil (Acridic Paleustolls) to determine the effect of a methanol‐water mixture (30% methanol by volume) on tensiometer readings and plant growth. No major effects of tensiometer readings or plant growth Mere noted. Results from a field demonstration on irrigated winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) indicate that tensiometers with such mixtures can be used to estimate soil water tension changes at atmospheric temperatures down to −18.8 C.